Colors

*Hi all. Told ya all it won’t be long. Well, this is it. The moment you’ve all been waiting for and I’ll be damned and will stop writing if this doesn’t meet up to what you guys have been looking forward to all along. So do review, try to be gentle if it sucks.

Cheers :) ~Keeps fingers crossed ands hopes her readers will like this~

*Additional : Realized that the comment made on Deidara's sentence does seem partially hanging and will correct it. However for further information it was already pointed out that Sasuke knew of Deidara's interest. Also, there is more to the Deidara story which will be covered in the coming chapters.

Also, I just started a blog. So if anyone wanna take a peek at what I curse about everyday, do drop by and leave your comments at hypergraphian.blogspot.com. I've also posted a summary of a new fic I'll be working on after I complete this one. So come and drop by :)

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Chapter 14

Naruto trailed behind Deidara closely. He was feeling so anxious at this point that he was afraid he’d have another episode at any minute. As usual, he resorted to his counting and tried to keep his mind focused on that. However, he couldn’t help but wonder why all of this was happening and he assessed if it would be wise asking the older man about the Uchiha family and why Sasuke was being kept under close security. He opened his mouth to ask but Deidara beat him to it.

“Anything you’d like to know I’ll let Sasuke tell you. It’s hard even for me to explain but … he’s been through more than you can imagine. The only thing I can tell you is that I’ve never seen him so emotional about someone before and I believe if anyone can pull him out of this fucking shit hole, that person would be you.”

“What makes you so sure all this has anything to do with me?”

“I believe you’ve met his brother briefly. Itachi has very strict rules with Sasuke, which does not allow him to meet with anyone except business associates. So for him to break the rules to meet you whilst he thought his brother wasn’t looking, means you’re really important to him.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because Sasuke’s important to me.” Deidara's response was curt, but Naruto knew better than to question further. He recognized that look, the same look he had thinking about the the Uchiha concerned.

They finally reached the men’s toilet and Deidara stepped in, gesturing for Naruto to follow him. Once inside, Deidara delivered his instructions.

“Here’s what you’re gonna have to do. Lock yourself in one of the cubicles whilst I go tell Sasuke to take a toilet break. Then I’ll tell Sasuke he has to knock 3 times, the first two knocks quick ones and a pause before the 3rd knock. So don’t open the door unless you hear that, you got me?”

“Yeah….”

“Finally, after your meeting, make sure you wait a little before leaving the gents. I’m not sure how long Kisame, the other watch dog, will be lingering for.”

With that Deidara smiled and was about to leave when Naruto pulled on his arm and lowered his gaze as he spoke, “Wait… I… I don’t know if I can do this…”

“Look for the answer when you meet him.” Deidara gave an encouraging squeeze on Naruto’s shoulder and left the blonde to lock himself in one of the stalls.

The next few minutes were the longest Naruto had ever experienced. His heart pounded hard against his chest and he was starting to sweat, the heat, the fire proof suit and the anxiety adding together to create swirls of fear in his stomach that threatened to push bile up his throat. *Oh God…. Damn it. What the fuck am I doing? Oh God help me.*

Suddenly, he heard the toilet door swing open along with a few murmurs from two men speaking before it swung close. Naruto found himself holding his breath as he heard the foot steps close in on his cubicle. He froze stiff when the steps stopped in front of his door and he watched the person’s shadow fall at his feet. His heart pounding, his mind racing and suddenly, it came. *Tap, Tap,* a pause and Naruto felt his heart at his throat. *Tap.*

Naruto hesitated, his hand shaking before the lock. He closed his eyes, *Naruto, you need to do this,* and he opened it. Standing before him, Sasuke, his fringe wet, sweat slicked as he had just finished his lap, eyes wide, mouth slightly opened. Time stood still as both men stared at each other, unable to speak, to move. Both wanting so much to just rush into each others arms but were equally as fearful for being rejected. Then Naruto spotted it, the bluish green bruise, still visible on Sasuke’s cheek.

As if having an outer body experience and having a mind of its own, Naruto’s hand lifted and shoke nervously as he laid it on Sasuke’s left cheek. He ran his thumb lightly across the bruise. Naruto was so afraid the image before him would crack even with the slightest increase in pressure that he kept his contact extremely gentle, which served to tickle the fine hairs on Sasuke’s smooth white skin.

“Sasuke… What happened?” Realizing the potentially offending contact, he lowered his hand slowly, waiting for a reply.

Sasuke’s lips quivered and he clenched his fists as he fought hard to fight back the tears. He was so happy to see Naruto, happy that there was someone to show him that life could be lived even if you’d been through hell. He admired it and to bathe in Naruto’s sunlight seemed like heaven to him. Unfortunately, his grief was equally as great for the prison that held Sasuke was tighter than an anaconda coiled around its prey.

He didn’t want Naruto to be in danger and he couldn’t be selfish in his own desires. What if Naruto didn’t want a relationship; didn’t want to be his friend and didn’t want any part of Sasuke’s life? He couldn’t just be like his brother and trap him in it. It wasn’t fair. The snake in Sasuke’s heart wound round even tighter and as he stared into those blue eyes, which promised freedom, the pain became unbearable and tears flowed.

Naruto’s eyes widened further. He couldn’t believe that standing before him was a broken Sasuke. His perfect aura suddenly grew dim and Naruto felt his heart crack. Still standing in his cubicle, he did the only thing he could. Pushing his fear of rejection aside, he grabbed Sasuke’s hand and pulled him in, swinging his fragile form into a fierce hug.

“Mmf.. ow.” Sasuke sobbed and pushed his hand reflexively against Naruto’s chest. The bruises and cuts on his front were still sore and the pressure had hurt him.

“Oh God Sasuke what has happened? Please tell me. What the fuck did that bastard do to you…. Please Sasuke… please just tell me.”

Naruto found himself breaking out fully and was only just managing to suppressed his own tears from seeing Sasuke in his state. He reduced his embrace into a firm hold of both Sasuke’s shoulders, pinning him to the cubicle’s wall. Naruto’s beating heart pumped furiously and he felt so torn, as if someone was ripping him with their bare hands. He couldn’t stand the Sasuke he saw, his aspiration had been reduced to a black hole and he yearned for that confident lone wolf, his perfect dark angel to return.

“Naruto, you don’t want to get involved in this.” Sasuke spoke, his voice thick and clouded in tears.

“How can I not want something when I don’t even know exactly what this is?” Naruto stared intently into Sasuke’s glistening black eyes.

“I came here only to tell you that… you’re a brave person… and that no matter what people said… and what horrible things I spat at you…. Deep down inside I just couldn’t stand the courage and hope you had…..and….” Sasuke paused to take in a deep breath in between his sobs.

Naruto shook his head but didn’t say anything.

“I’m sorry I didn’t have the fucking balls to be upfront with you but the God’s to honest truth is that I had long lost to you….to that smile you kept putting on even when you were so troubled.”

“Please… please don’t do this again.”

“Naruto, I can’t be with you.”

“No…”

“I don’t deserve you….”

“Sasuke…. No!” Naruto asserted as loud as he dared.

Sasuke fell silent.

“You fucking idiot. What gives you the right to walk in and out of my life as you please? You have no fucking idea what you leaving school did to me. I didn’t understand what it was and now that I finally do you want to fucking rip it right out from my arms again. Fuck Sasuke, I’ve been chasing after your fucking shadow since the day I met you. You fucking gave me a reason to live you bitch!”

With that Naruto did the unthinkable. He pressed his lips down forcefully onto Sasuke’s. The world around them froze and for that one moment, everything faded away. There was no Itachi, no past murder, no race, no gallery and all there was were the two of them, eyes closed, lips locked and hearts beating in tandem. Everything felt as it should be and the peacefulness that engulfed their hearts was warm and fulfilling, simply wonderful.

Having held their breaths, the two broke contact needing air and Naruto raised his head slowly to stare into Sasuke’s half lidded passion filled eyes. Their breaths ghosted over each others’ faces and Sasuke wondered exactly when he had placed his arms around Naruto’s waist. Unable to bear Naruto’s earnest gaze, Sasuke averted his eyes. He felt stained, like a jury about to sentence an innocent to death. He closed his eyes, lips quivering and tilting in a slight frown.

“Naruto, my brother will find you and he will kill you.”

Naruto lifted Sasuke’s chin gently.

“Look at me…” Naruto spoke softly, a small smile across his lips and Sasuke complied.

“I told you already. I’m no longer that useless loud mouth brat that I used to be, thanks to you. I will find a way to get you out of this.”

“It’s impossible. Who the fuck do you think you’re dealing with?”

“Sigh… Quite frankly, the devil himself I suppose.”

“Naruto its not funny.”

“I never said I was joking. Sasuke, just trust me. I will find a way.”

“I don’t want you to…”

“I’m not going to die. If anyone’s going to, it’s him for doing the things his done to you.”

“Naruto, sigh… I… I need to go.”

“Sasuke, do you trust me?”

Sasuke hesitated but looking at Naruto’s determination, it seemed that it would be impossible anyway to try stopping him and he wanted so much to believe that everything would end well, just like the hope promised in his smile.

“If I even catch wind of my brother plotting against you… this is off. You understand?”

“Sigh… Sasuke, you’re not answering the question, I just need to know. Do you trust me?”

Sasuke looked inwards for the answer. He knew it wasn’t that he didn’t trust Naruto. He just didn’t believe anything good would come from being associated with him. Everything around him would eventually wither and he didn’t want Naruto to suffer the same fate. But he thought of how far his former rival had progressed in life and realized that maybe, just maybe, things could change for the better. The kiss flashed in his head and Sasuke realized that it would be wrong to doubt something that felt so right.

“Naruto… I trust in you.” He finally managed a smile, which widened Naruto’s own smile as he bent down to place another sweet kiss on Sasuke’s lips. Sasuke nibbled softly on the soft flesh and was tempted into taking in more but before he could do so Naruto had lifted his head once again.

“Email…. That’s the only way your brother can’t trace you. Create an anonymous account and contact me when you can.”

“Sure… Naruto we really have to get out of here. If Kisame finds out we’re both dead.”

“Fuck, how much time has passed? Shit, my practice lap.”

Sasuke smirked. “Oh don’t fret. You’re never gonna get past my time.”

Naruto stood back, folded his arms and lifted an eyebrow at his handsome rival. “Riight and what might your time be Mr. Oh-so-perfect.”

“52.565 seconds.”

Naruto’s eyes nearly popped out of his sockets. *How the fuck??? He doesn’t even drive that often.*

Sasuke then pushed himself off the cubicle wall and started walking out. He turned round to give one last look at the stunned blonde and they both smiled at each other in acknowledgement before parting.

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Kiba looked out anxiously for their driver.

“Oh my God I swear if Naruto misses this I will fucking kill him!” Kiba said angrily.

“Calm down, I’m sure he’ll be back soon.” Hinata spoke timidly in effort to soothe him.

“We’re less that 5 minutes away, Kiba, I don’t think he’s gonna make it.”

“I’M BACK!” Naruto shouted at his friends as he came running into the paddock.

“Where the fuck have you been? Fucking hurry up and lets do that radio check.” Kiba was not pleased and Naruto suspected that it had something to do with his past and Hinata.

“More importantly, how the fuck did it go?” Shikamaru asked and Neji peered over his shoulder to listen in.

“Hmm… Race first, explainations later but if it makes you feel better, I don’t think I’ll crash the car?”

“Good enough,” Shikamaru said before turning around to move to the monitor console where he grabbed a pair of headphones to put on.

Meanwhile Naruto made sure his garish orange suit was buckled and his helmet was fitted comfortably before siting in his heated NSX.

“Naruto, come in. Test 1, 2, 3.” Kiba spoke clearly.

“Yeah I fucking hear ya.” He replied.

“Damn Naruto, you better take the practice seriously, it’s no laughing matter and you haven’t driven for over 2 months. As much as I hate to admit it, I really don’t want to pick up bits and pieces of your remains after you fucking crash the car.”

“I’ll be fine, Kiba, have faith will ya? Hey play that song after I start the second lap.”

“Naruto, I’m not going to do that.”

“Come on, please? Its just practice? I promise I won’t do this later.”

“Kiba just play it.” Shika interrupted.

“Sigh… fine. You’re fucking so old school Naruto, I can’t believe you’re still addicted to Prodigy and Firestarter. Why can’t you listen to anything else?”

Naruto started driving out of his paddock and steered the car into the pit lane slowly. It felt heavy but the firmness only meant better control over his drive.

“How could you insult Prodigy?”

“Naruto stop talking before you run over people on the pit lane.” Shikamaru made the comment after observing Naruto haphazardly fail to slow down, driving past a pitworker who had to dodge out of his way.

“Oops…Just play the damn thing, will ya or I’ll stop in the middle of the lap.”

Kiba muttered to himself in defeat and watched the car’s readings closely as Naruto took his first lap and already he was trying his best to abuse the car’s gear box, brakes and engine. He entered the second lap in full bravado and treated it as if it was an actual practice lap.

“Ok Naruto, we’re coming in to your timed lap and so far things look good. Here’s your bloody firestarter.” Kiba played the music.

“Thanks.” Naruto grinned. *52.565.. Hmf… We’ll see about that.*

Naruto upped his gears and skillfully maintained his torque as he exited from the wide bend and headed down the straight to start. He floored his accelerator, his engine working beautifully to bring the top speed up to about 200km/h before he had to press hard on his breaks and tapped his clutch to take the first hair pin perfectly. Exiting at a fairly high speed he managed to make it to the second hair pin in good time maneuvering down the two slight bends in between with ease. Once again another perfect hairpin,which he exited quickly.

Unfortunately, he had almost forgotten the severity of the 90 degree angled turn that came after and he tried his best to correct the slight mistake and barely made the corner, losing a little time in the process. But with quick thinking and swift maneuvers he was back on track once again, accelerating down another wide sweeper, his heavier car enabling him to take the stretch slightly faster than his competition. He attacked the last hair pin with a severe breaking stance and made a final perfect exit.

Now all he had to do was made sure his engine was running perfectly. He glanced at the readings, so far so good and he took a look at his time as he achieved a top speed of 220 km/h. He was in fact slightly ahead of Sasuke’s lap time and he grinned inwardly. He reverted his concentration to the track and took the last corner with ease before speeding down the last stretch but just as he was coming close, he glanced at his time again and made a sudden slow down so that when he crossed the finishing line and the lap time showed, it was exactly 52.565 seconds, his personal message to his rival knowing too well Sasuke would be watching intently and he was.

Back at paddock 6, Sasuke turned around to check for Kisame before returning his gaze towards the monitor with a wide knowing smile on his face. *Fucking show off.*

TBC

*If you’re thinking, “kisses? That’s it?” Hmm…. Then I’ll be kind and say no, there’s more to come. Thanks for reading.

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